This website is being reviewed for updates. Some information is offline. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare business and finance

Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2015
Provides statistics on health insurance coverage in 2015 and also focuses on changes between 2014 and 2015, as well as changes between 2013 and 2015. Tables 5 and A-5 list statistics for metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. Based on data from the 2014, 2015, and 2016 Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement.
Author(s): Jessica C. Barnett, Marina Vornovitsky
Date: 09/2016
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
view details
Why Are Obstetric Units in Rural Hospitals Closing Their Doors?
Examines factors associated with obstetric unit closure based on a mixed methods study of rural hospitals in 9 states between 2010 and 2014. Addresses hospital characteristics such as accreditation, ownership, and Critical Access Hospital status; distance to next closest hospital with obstetric services; and county-level characteristics including health workforce supply.
Author(s): Peiyin Hung, Katy B. Kozhimannil, Michelle M. Casey, Ira S. Moscovice
Citation: Health Services Research, 51(4), 1546-1560
Date: 08/2016
view details
Oklahoma Emergency Department Utilization: July 2012 through June 2015
Reports on emergency department use in Oklahoma to help guide the state's Medicaid program, SoonerCare. Includes rural/urban breakdowns and some discussion of rural challenges.
Author(s): Mercer Government Human Services Consulting
Date: 08/2016
Sponsoring organization: Oklahoma Health Care Authority
view details
Marcum & Wallace Memorial Hospital Successfully Impacts Project Outcomes
Highlights the progress of Kentucky's Marcum and Wallace Memorial Hospital as they worked through the Small Rural Hospital Transition (SRHT) project in 2015. By participating in the SRHT project, Marcum & Wallace was able to make significant improvements to emergency department operations, swing bed services, 340B usage, and more.
Date: 08/2016
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Resource Center
view details
State Innovation Models (SIM) Initiative Evaluation: Model Test Year Two Annual Report
Second annual report detailing the findings of CMS's State Innovation Models (SIM) Initiative, which tests the ability of the governments in six states - Arkansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Vermont, and Oregon - to accelerate health system transformation in the areas of delivery systems, payment models, information technology, workforce development, and more. Presents results from the second of three planned site visits to the states, including interviews, focus groups, and surveys. Connections made throughout to issues specifically affecting rural healthcare.
Date: 08/2016
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, RTI International
view details
Rural-Urban Differences in Insurer Participation for Marketplace-Based Coverage
Policy brief examining differences between rural and urban counties in terms of the number of Federally Facilitated Marketplace insurers available to consumers in 2015 and showing variation in the composition of insurers serving counties, focusing on five insurers and ownership status. Features statistics with breakdowns by number of insurers in rural and urban counties, group affiliation, and ownership status.
Author(s): Jean Abraham, Coleman Drake, Jeffrey S. McCullough, Kosali Simon
Date: 08/2016
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
view details
Report to Congress: E-health and Telemedicine
Reports the state of e-health and telemedicine after the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Includes current policy challenges, discussion of federal level telehealth activity, and a legislative proposal for FY17.
Date: 08/2016
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
view details
Evaluation of the Round Two Health Care Innovation Awards (HCIA R2): First Annual Report
Summarizes the first year evaluation results of the 39 Health Care Innovation Awards Round Two projects. Includes findings for the individual grantees, which include 14 projects that serve rural areas.
Date: 08/2016
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Mathematica Policy Research
view details
2016 Rural Provider Leadership Summit Report: Strategies for Rural Provider Engagement in Transitioning to Value-based Purchasing and Population Health
Explores issues related to value models for rural providers and provides strategies rural hospitals may use to overcome challenges and enhance staff collaboration. Includes a list of rural provider leadership tools and resources.
Author(s): Karla Weng
Date: 08/2016
Sponsoring organizations: National Rural Health Resource Center, Technical Assistance and Services Center
view details
Telehealth Parity Laws
Policy brief discussing federal and state activities related to telehealth, as well as Medicaid and private insurer reimbursement for telehealth services. Identifies the arguments in favor of and against paying for telehealth at parity with in-person care. Discusses the role telehealth can play in rural access to healthcare.
Citation: Health Affairs
Date: 08/2016
view details